E 

167.1 

F9A1 


^MEUNIVER^ 


A  SKETCH 

o/ 

BARBARA  FRITCHIE 


INCLUDING  POINTS  o/  INTEREST 
IN  FREDERICK,  MARYLAND 


By  MISS  ELEANOR  D.  ABBOTT 
Great  Grandniece  of  Whittier's  Heroine 


SIGNATURE    OF    HEROINE    AT   AGE    AF    92    YEARS 


A  Sketch 

o/ 
Barbara  Fritchie 

Whittier's  Heroine 

Including  Points  O/  Interest 
in  Frederick,  Maryland 


By  MISS  ELEANOR  D.  ABBOTT 


(Copyright  1921  by  Miss  Eleanor  D.Abbott) 


CO 
CO 


o 

CM 


F9AI 

BARBARA  FRITCHIE 

By  JOHN  G.  WHITTIER 


O 

o  D 


Up  from  the  meadows  rich  with  corn, 
Clear  in  the  cool  September  morn, 

The  clustered  spires  of  Frederick  stand 
Green-walled  by  the  hills  of  Maryland. 

Round  about  them  orchards  sweep, 
Apple  and  peach-tree  fruited  deep, 

Fair  as  a  garden  of  the  Lord 

To  the  eyes  of  the  famished  rebel  horde, 

On  that  pleasant  morn  of  the  early  Fall 
When  Lee  marched  over  the  mountain-wall,- 

«M 

Over  the  mountains  winding  down,' 
Horse  and  foot,  into  Frederick  town. 

Forty  flags  with  their  silver  stars, 
">  Forty  flags  with  their  crimson  bars, 

Flapped  in  the  morning  wind :  the  sun 
Of  noon  looked  down,  and  saw  not  one. 

O  v    - 

Up  rose  old  Barbara  Fritchie  then, 
Bowed  with  her  fourscore  years  and  ten ; 

Bravest  of  all  in  Frederick  town, 

She  took  up  the  flag  the  men  hauled  down; 

In  her  attic-window  the  staff  she  set, 
To  show  that  one  heart  was  loyal  yet. 

Up  the  street  came  the  rebel  tread, 
Stonewall  Jackson  riding  ahead. 

tj  i 

Under  his  slouched  hat  left  and  right 

He  glanced ;  the  old  flag  met  his  sight. 

"Halt !" — the  dust-brown  ranks  stood  fast, 
"Fire!" — out  blazed  the  rifle-blast. 

It  shivered  the  window,  pain  and  sash ; 
It  rent  the  banner  with  seam  and  gash. 

Quick,  as  it  fell,  from  the  broken  staff 
Dame  Barbara  snatched  the  silken  scarf; 


238557 


She  leaned  far  out  on  the  window-sill, 
And  shook  it  forth  with  a  royal  will. 

"Shoot,  if  you  must,  this  old  gray  head. 
But  spare  your  country's  flag,"  she  said. 

A  shade  of  sadness,  a  blush  of  shame. 
Over  the  face  of  the  leader  came ; 

The  nobler  nature  within  him  stirred 
To  life  at  that  woman's  deed  and  word ; 

"Who  touches  a  hair  of  yon  gray  head 
Dies  like  a  dog!  March  on!"  he  said. 

All  day  long  through  Frederick  street 
Sounded  the  tread  of  marching  feet : 

All  day  long  that  free  flag  tost 
Over  the  heads  of  the  rebel  host. 

Ever  its  torn  folds  rose  and  fell 

On  the  loyal  winds  that  loved  it  well ; 

And  through  the  hill-gaps  sunset  light 
Shone  over  it  with  a  warm  good-night. 

Barbara  Fritchie's  work  is  o'er, 

And  the  Rebel  rides  on  his  raids  no  more. 

Honor  to  her !  and  let  a  tear 

Fall,  for  her  sake,  on  Stonewall's  bier. 

Over  Barbara  Fritchie's  grave 
Flag  of  Freedom  and  Union,  wave ! 

Peace  and  order  and  beauty  draw 
Round  thy  symbol  of  light  and  law ; 

And  ever  the  stars  above  look  down 
On  thy  stars  below  in  Frederick  town ! 


Sketch  o/  Whittier's  Heroine 
Barbara  Fritchie 


pg|EAUTIFUL  for  situation"  is  Frederick,  Maryland, 
with  its  clustered  spires,  greenwalled  by  the  sur- 
rounding hills.  "The  meadows  rich  with  corn,"  the 
orchards  of  "apple  and  peach  trees  fruited  deep,"  the 


well  cultivated  farms  present  a  picture  "fair  as  a  garden  of 
the  Lord"  to  the  eyes  of  the  thousands  of  tourists  attracted  to 
Barbara  Fritchie 's  town.  Frederick-town  was  laid  out  in  1745 
by  Patrick  Dulaney,  after  whom  one  of  the  principal  streets 
was  named. 

Patrick  street  is  a  continuation  of  the  old  National  Pike, 
connecting  Baltimore  with  Frederick,  and  extending  west  through 
Cumberland,  Ohio,  and  Indiana,  into  Illinois.  The  first  house 
was  built  on  East  Patrick  street  by  John  Thomas  Schley,  and 
the  first  white  child  born  in  Frederick  was  Mary  Schley.  The 
past  history  of  Frederick  is  intensely  interesting,  but  it  is  not 
the  purpose  of  this  sketch  to  relate  what  has  already  been 
published.  Mr.  Whittier  has  made  it  almost  world  renowned 
in  his  beautiful  poem,  and  has  immortalized  Barbara  Fritchie, 
for  her  name  and  fame  have  gone  beyond  our  own  continent  to 
the  lands  across  the  seas.  An  American  gentleman,  traveling  in 
foreign  lands  some  years  ago,  met  a  little  girl  named  Barbara. 
He  said  to  her,  "Your  name  reminds  me  of  a  noted  American 
woman."  She  replied,  "Do  you  mean  Barbara  Fritchie?"  and 
to  his  great  pleasure  and  surprise  recited  the  entire  poem. 

Dr.  Bernard  C.  Steiner,  in  an  address  delivered  in  Fred- 
erick on  May  30,  1918,  said:  "When  I  was  in  the  desolate,  fas- 
cinating, hospitable  island  of  Newfoundland  nine  years  ago  I 
found  that  the  people  knew  of  five  American  cities — New  York, 
Boston,  Gloucester,  Baltimore  and  Frederick.  They  had  learned 
of  the  last  city  because  the  poem  'Barbara  Fritchie'  was  known 
and  loved  by  all  the  school  children."  Critics  have  tried  in  vain 
to  convince  the  public  that  Mr.  Whittier's  story  is  pure  fiction. 
Barbara  IFritchie  was  not  a  myth;  neither  was  she  a  literary 
character  alone.  She  was  a  real,  one-hundred-per-cent.  American 
woman,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that  her  parents,  John  Niclaus 

page  seven 


and  Catherine  Zeiler  Hauer,  were  born  in  Germany.  Leaving 
Germany  May  11,  1754,  they  came  to  this  country,  arriving  in 
Pennsylvania  in  October,  1754.  Barbara  Hauer,  their  third 
daughter,  was  born  in  Lancaster,  Penna.,  December  3,  1766,  and 
was  baptized  by  Rev.  William  Hendel,  pastor  of  the  Reformed 
church,  December  14,  1766.  When  Barbara  was  less  than  two 
years  of  age  her  parents  removed  to  Frederick,  Maryland.  Just 
previous  to  her  birth  the  Stamp  act  had  been  repealed,  the  Court 
of  Frederick  County  being  the  first  to  protest  officially  against 
it,  in  1765. 

The  Declaration  of  Independence  from  British  rule  was 
adopted  ten  years  after  her  birth.  Recalling  the  stirring  events 
of  that  period  one  can  readily  account  for  the  traits  of  character 
so  pronounced  in  Barbara's  later  life.  She  grew  up  amid  cir- 
cumstances which  developed  stability,  patriotism,  and  loyalty. 
AVhen  Barbara  was  twenty-five  years  of  age  an  event  of  im- 
portance occurred  in  the  town.  A  group  of  young  ladies  was 
assembled  one  afternoon  in  1791  at  Kimball's  Tavern  (the  site 
is  now  occupied  by  the  New  City  Hotel),  the  occasion  being  a 
quilting  party.  A  messenger  brought  the  news  that  President 
George  Washington  was  coming  to  spend  the  night  at  the 
Tavern.  What  a  thrill  of  excitement  it  caused !  The  quilt  was 
quickly  folded.  The  best  linen  and  china  were  brought  forth, 
but  there  was  nothing  quite  suitable  from  which  to  pour  the 
coffee,  so  Barbara  Hauer  hastened  to  her  home  opposite  the 
hotel  (where  the  residence  of  Miss  Agnes  Schley  is  now  located) 
and  returned  with  her  beautiful  old  Liverpool  china  coffee-pot. 
This  coffee-pot  has  been  well  preserved,  and  is  now,  with  other 
curios,  in  the  cabinet  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Julia  M.  Abbott, 
great-niece  of  Mrs.  Fritchie. 

As  Miss  Barbara  poured  the  coffee  for  the  h  mored  guest 
he  evidently  was  impressed  with  her  appearance  and  manner, 
for  after  supper  he  called  his  servant  and  directed  that  his 
traveling  bag  be  brought.  Opening  it  he  drew  forth  a  cliina 
bowl,  which  he  presented  to  Barbara.  She  prized  it  very  highly. 
Before  her  death  she  gave  the  bowl  to  her  nephew,  Nicholas  D. 
Hauer,  who  later  gave  it  to  his  niece,  Mrs.  Harriet  Byerly  Sweet, 
now  residing  in  Baltimore. 

At  the  time  of  Washington's  death  a  sham  funeral  was 
page  eight 


held  in  Frederick  as  a  memorial  service.  Barbara  Hauer  was  one 
of  the  young  women  who  acted  as  pallbearers.  In  1780,  when 
Barbara  was  fourteen  years  old,  she  went  with  her  mother  to  a 
quilting  party.  As  usual  on  such  occasions  the  news  of  the  town 
was  the  topic  of  conversation. 

Among  other  items  of  interest  was  the  announcement  of 
the  birth  of  a  son  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Casper  Fritchie.  Twenty-six 
years  later,  on  May  6,  ]806,  Barbara  Hauer  became  the  wife  of 
John  Casper  Fritchie,  whose  birth  she  had  heard  announced. 
Although  the  senior  of  her  husband  by  so  many  years,  they  were 
very  congenial.  Their  home  was  011  West  Patrick  street,  on  the 
east  bank  of  Carroll  Creek,  and  was  an  exceptionally  happy  one. 


RELICS  OF   BARBARA   FRITCHIE 


Mr.  Fritchie  was  a  man  of  upright  character,  held  in  high 
esteem.     He  conducted  a  glove  manufactory,  and,  although  not 

l»ige  ten 


wealthy,  his  business  made  them  a  comfortable  living.  Mrs. 
Fritchie  was  a  woman  of  decided  opinions.  Keeping  herself 
well  informed  by  reading,  she  could  converse  intelligently  on 
almost  any  subject.  As  a  wife  she  was  thoroughly  domestic. 
By  her  kindly  manner  and  genial  disposition  she  made  their 
home  a  very  attractive  place.  Their  servants  were  treated  with 
great  kindness.  " Fritchie 's  Harry"  and  "Aunt  Nellie"  were 
devoted  to  "Ole  Massa"  and  "Ole  Missus." 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritchie  had  no  children,  but  adopted  Mrs. 
Fritchie 's  niece,  Catherine  Stover,  who  remained  with  them 
until  1825,  when  she  married  Henry  Hanshew,  Mr.  Fritchie 's 
assistant,  and  later  partner,  in  the  business,  and  moved  to  her 
own  home  a  short  distance  west  of  the  Fritchies.  Mrs.  Han- 
shew 's  cousin,  Miss  Harriet  Yoner,  then  became  Mrs.  Fritchie 's 
companion.  On  November  10,  1849,  after  a  brief  illness,  Mr. 
Fritehie  "fell  asleep,"  and  was  laid  to  rest  in  the  Reformed 
church  graveyard.  Mrs.  Fritchie  made  no  change,  preferring 
1o  live  in  her  own  home.  She  spent  a  great  deal  of  time  among 
her  flowers,  which  she  was  fond  of  cultivating.  As  she  increased 
in  years  she  retained  her  faculties  to  an  unusual  degree.  She 
enjoyed  the  companionship  of  young  people,  and  participated 
with  much  pleasure  in  their  conversation.  Her  great-nieces  and 
great-nephews,  the  children  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hanshew,  were 
her  frequent  visitors.  They,  and  their  young  companions,  were 
seldom  disappointed  in  their  anticipation  of  a  "treat."  On 
"special  occasions"  she  made  them  small  cakes  cut  in  various 
forms — fish,  birds,  men,  women,  etc.  The  tiny  tin  cutters,  about 
one  inch  in  length,  are  now  in  the  possession  of  her  great-great- 
nephew,  Lee  Hanshew. 


|S  BARBARA  HAUER'S  life  began  in  the  exciting 
period  of  our  country's  struggle  for  freedom  from 
British  rule,  there  grew  into  her  soul  an  intense 
loyalty  and  patriotism.  She  was  at  all  times  deeply 
interested  in  national  affairs,  and,  although  in  her  ninety-fifth 
year  when  the  shadow  of  the  great  conflict  became  a  bloody 
reality,  her  mind  was  clear,  and  she  believed  in  the  Union  with 
her  whole  heart.  With  great  conviction  she  would  say,  "The 

page  eleven 


Union  of  the  States  will  be  maintained.  God  takes  care  of  His 
people,  and  he  will  take  care  of  this  country."  She  never 
allowed  anyone  to  speak  in  a  disparaging  way  of  her  country. 
From  one  of  her  dormer  windows  her  bunting  flag  was  fre- 
quently seen  floating  gracefully.  Because  of  its  geographical 
location,  Frederick  was  destined  to  figure  conspicuously  in  the 
movements  of  the  commanding  generals  of  both  armies.  Senti- 
ment was  naturally  divided,  there  being  strong  feeling  both  for 
and  against  the  Union.  It  Avas  a  trying  time,  but  the  real  bitter- 
ness of  the  war  came  toward  the  close  of  the  summer  of  1862. 
The  Confederate  forces  had  crossed  the  Potomac,  and  entered 
Maryland  from  Virginia,  on  September  5th.  The  main  body 
encamped  at  Frederick  Junction,  three  miles  south  of  Frederick, 
but  a  large  portion  of  the  army  marched  through  the  city  on 
September  6th,  and  went  into  camp  at  Worman's  Mill,  a  couple 
miles  to  the  north.  The  next  morning  (Sunday)  while  his 
troops  lay  resting,  General  Jackson  took  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  attend  divine  worship  at  the  Evangelical  Reformed 
Church.  The  pastor,  Rev.  Daniel  Zacharias,  unaware  of  the 
presence  of  the  distinguished  officer,  gave  out  the  hymn,  "The 
Stoutest  Rebel  Must  Resign,"  but  the  "rebel"  heard  it  not,  for 
weariness  had  caused  him  to  sleep  peacefully  through  the  hymn 
and  part  of  the  sermon.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  10th  the 
army,  obeying  orders,  broke  camp,  and  began  to  move  west- 
ward, going  out  West  Patrick  street,  passing  the  home  of  Mrs. 
Barbara  Fritchie. 

It  was  at  this  time  that  the  incident  occurred  which  led 
to  the  writing  of  the  poem  by  John  G.  Whittier.  Miss  Harriet 
Yoner,  coming  from  the  rear  of  the  house,  found  Mrs.  Fritchie 
quite  nervous  and  excited,  but  she  would  make  no  explanation, 
except:  "They  tried  to  take  my  flag,  but  a  man  would  not  let 
them,  and  he  was  a  gentleman."  Several  times  during  the 
occupancy  of  the  town  by  the  Confederates  she  had  subjected 
herself  to  danger,  causing  her  relatives  much  anxiety.  "Riehl's 
Spring,"  on  the  west  bank  of  Carroll  Creek,  was  frequented  by 
the  soldiers,  some  of  whom  came  to  her  house  asking  for  a  glass 
in  which  to  get  a  drink  of  the  cool,  clear  water.  To  the  Union 
men  she  cordially  gave  the  glass,  but  to  the  Confederates  she 
would  reply,  "There  is  an  iron  dipper  at  the  spring;  you  can 

page  twelve 


use  that."  One  day  a  relative  was  taking  her  to  the  home  of 
her  niece,  Mrs.  Hanshew.  A  group  of  Confederate  soldier.* 
were  resting  on  her  front  porch,  and  as  she  came  out  of  her 
doorway  she  shook  her  cane  at  them,  saying,  "Begone  you  dirty 
pack ! ' '  Her  companion  hastily  apologized,  but  said  afterward 
that  she  walked  in  fear  and  trembling,  lest  a  bullet  should  be 
fired  after  them. 

Fortunately  they  were  gentlemen,  and  showed  no  resent- 
ment. Naturally  her  relatives  reprimanded  her,  trying  to  im- 
press upon  her  the  risk  she  incurred.  Therefore,  when  she  had 
again  exposed  herself  to  danger,  she  was  reticent.  It  was  not 
until  a  month  or  two  later  that  she  told  what  had  really  oc- 
curred, to  Mr.  Fritchie's  niece,  Miss  Caroline  Ebert,  who  had 
called  to  see  her.  She  said  to  Miss  Eoert  that  she  was  afraid 
to  tell  Kittie  (Mrs.  Hanshew)  and  the  others,  because  she  knew 
they  would  scold  her.  Barbara's  account  of  the  incident  fol- 
lows: Hearing  the  troops  were  approaching,  she  took  her  silk 
flag  from  between  the  leaves  of  the  family  Bible,  and  stepped 
out  on  her  front  porch,  thinking  they  were  Union  soldiers.  Im- 
mediately an  officer  rode  up,  saying,  "Granny,  give  me  your 
flag."  "You  can't  have  it,"  she  said,  and  then  noticed  the  grey 
uniforms,  but  she  continued  waving.  He  spoke  to  the  men,  and 
they  turned,  facing  her.  She  thought  they  meant  to  fire  on  her, 
but,  instead,  he  rode  on  a  short  distance  to  the  Mill  Alley,  re- 
turning in  a  moment  with  another  officer  and  some  men.  This 
officer  said  to  her,  "Give  me  your  flag,  Granny,  and  I'll  stick  it 
in  my  horse's  head."  "No,  you  can't  have  it,"  she  said.  One 
of  the  men  called  out,  "Shoot  her  damned  head  off." 

The  officer  turned  angrily  upon  him,  saying,  "If  you  harm 
a  hair  of  her  head  I'll  shoot  you  down  like  a  dog."  Then,  turn- 
ing to  the  trembling  old  lady,  he  said,  "Go*-on,  Granny,  wave 
your  flag  as  much  as  you  please."  It  was  not  until  a  number 
of  years  later  that  the  family  learned  the  truth  of  the  flag- 
waving  incident.  Miss  Ebert  had  married  Mr.  Edward  Wine- 
brener,  and  rarely  met  the  Hanshew  family,  but,  hearing  that 
the  relatives  of  Mrs.  Fritchie  were  still  ignorant  of  the  facts, 
she  related  the  above  account  to  Mrs.  J.  H.  Abbott,  and  also 
made  affidavit  before  a  notary  public. 

It  has  been  affirmed  by  some  that  the  Confederate  Army 

page  thirteen 


did  not  pass  the  home  of  Barbara  Fritchie,  and,  therefore,  the 
flag-waving  incident  was  impossible.  This  statement  is  false, 
because  there  are  still  living  many  persons  who  know,  because 
they  were  eye-witnesses,  that  the  entire  Confederate  Army,  with 
the  exception  of  Jackson  and  his  staff,  did  pass  the  home  of 
Mrs.  Fritchie.  General  Jackson  was  an  intimate  friend  of  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Ross,  the  Presbyterian  pastor  and  his  wife.  Desiring 
to  leave  a  message  of  farewell,  he  made  a  short  detour  to  the 
parsonage  on  West  Second  street.  Riding  down  Bentz  street, 
or  "Mill  Alley,"  as  it  was  then  called,  he  rejoined  his  army  on 
West  Patrick  street,  just  sixty-three  yards  west  of  Mrs.  Fritchie 's 
house,  according  to  a  measurement  made  by  Mr.  Henry  M. 
Nixdorff. 

Mr.  James  L.  Parsons,  a  prominent  contractor  of  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  confirms  the  flag-waving  incident  in  a  letter  written 
to  the  Baltimore  Sun,  dated  November  12,  1913.  Mr.  Parsons 
states  he  was  a  member  of  "Stonewall"  Jackson's  Third  Bri- 
gade (also  known  as  Tolliver's  Brigade),  and  marched  by  Bar- 
bara Fritchie 's  home  on  the  day  the  aged  heroine  waved  her  flag 
to  the  Confederates,  and  that  all  through  the  lines  the  troops 
were  talking  about  the  episode. 

Further  evidence  of  the  fact  that  Barbara  Fritchie  waved 
her  flag  as  the  Confederates  were  passing  is  found  in  the  Con- 
gressional Library,  AVashington,  D.  C.,  in  the  columns  of  the 
"Atlanta  Constitution"  bearing  date  of  April  7,  1910,  and  also 
in  the  Confederate  Veterans '  Magazine,  two  acknowledged  South- 
ern authorities,  and  is  given  by  the  Confederate  captain,  Frank 
Myers,  who  says:  "There  is  more  poetry  than  truth  in  Whit- 
tier's  song.  As  we  passed  by  she  (Mrs.  Fritchie)  came  out  on 
the  porch  and  waved  her  flag  at  us.  Not  one  of  us  tried  to  bother 
her,  and  it  was  not  necessary  for  'Stonewall'  Jackson  to  say  a 
word." 

Closely  following  the  Confederates  came  McClellan's 
army,  the  advance  being  in  command  of  General  Burnside.  A 
hearty  welcome  was  given  them.  The  loyal  citizens  came  forth, 
flags  were  unfurled  once  more,  and  the  town  wore  a  different 
aspect.  None  were  more  joyous  than  dame  Barbara,  who,  with 
her  silk  flag  in  hand,  stood  at  her  parlor  window.  She  at- 
tracted much  attention,  many  of  the  soldiers,  both  officers  and 


privates,  coming  from  the  ranks  to  speak  to  her,  asking  her 
name  and  age,  and  the  privilege  of  shaking  hands  with  her. 
Gen.  Jesse  L.  Reno  went  into  her  home  to  converse  with  her. 
She  treated  him  to  a  glass  of  her  home-made  wine,  and  presented 
him  with  a  bunting  flag  which  he  carried  with  him  to  the  battle 
of  South  Mountain  the  next  day,  in  which  battle  he  was  killed. 
The  flag  was  sent  with  his  body  to  his  home  in  Massachusetts. 
It  was  later  placed  in  the  museum  of  the  Loyal  Legion,  in  Boston. 
Barbara  Fritchie  lived  to  celebrate  her  ninety-sixth 
birthday  on  December  3d,  1862,  but  an  attack  of  pneumonia 
proved  fatal,  and  on  December  18th  the  aged  patriot  "crossed 
the  bar." 

"No  stately  dame  of  high  degree, 

Nor  social  idol  e  'en  was  she ; 

But  in  the  line  of  life  she  trod 

'Twas  said  of  her,  'She  walked  with  God.'  " 

Her  body  was  placed  beside  her  husband's  in  the  church 
graveyard,  and  small,  plain  stones — her  own  selection — marked 
their  burial  place. 


EANWHILE  Miss  Ebert  had  related  to  a  cousin,  Mr. 
Ramsburg,  of  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  the  story  as  told 
her  by  Mrs.  Fritchie.  Through  Mr.  Ramsburg  it  was 
published  in  a  Washington  paper.  He  also  told  it  to 
his  neighbor,  Mrs.  E.  D.  E.  X.  Southworth,  by  whom  it  was  sent 
to  Mr.  Whittier.  Mr.  Whittier's  nephew  and  biographer  (S.  T. 
Pickard)  gives  the  following  information  in  Volume  II,  Life  and 
Letters  of  John  G.  Whittier : 

"The  story  which  suggested  to  Mr.  Whittier  his  ballad 
'Barbara  Fritchie'  came  to  him  from  Mrs.  E.  D.  E.  N.  South- 
worth,  of  Georgetown,  D.  C.,  who  wrote  him  the  following  note : 
'I  send  this  little  note  out  merely  in  quest  of  you.  If  it  should 
find  you,  please  let  me  know  your  exact  address,  as  I  have  a  mes- 
sage to  deliver  you.'  As  soon  as  she  received  the  address  she 
sent  the  following  narrative,  and  the  ballad  founded  upon  it  was 
written  within  a  fortnight  after  its  receipt  in  Amesbury :  "  'When 
Lee's  army  occupied  Frederick  the  only  Union  flag  displayed  in 
the  city  was  held  by  Mrs.  Barbara  Fritchie,  a  widow  lady  of 


ninety-six  years.'  Such  was  the  paragraph  that  went  the  rounds 
of  the  Washington  papers  last  September.  Some  time  after- 
ward, from  friends  who  were  in  Frederick  at  the  time,  I  heard 
the  whole  story.  It  was  the  story  of  a  woman's  heroism,  which, 
when  heard,  seemed  as  much  to  belong  to  you  as  a  book  picked 
up  with  your  autograph  on  the  fly-leaf.  So  here  it  is.'  She  then 
gave  an  account  of  the  entrance  of  Lee's  army  into  Frederick 
and  their  cool  reception,  quoting  the  official  record,  'the  town 
wore  a  church  yard  aspect.'  Continuing:  'But  Mrs.  Barbara 
Fritchie,  taking  one  of  the  Union  flags,  went  up  to  the  top  of  her 
house,  opened  a  garret  window,  and  held  it  forth.  The  rebel 
army  marched  up  the  street,  saw  the  flag;  the  order  was  given, 
'Halt!  Fire!'  and  a  volley  was  discharged  at  the  window  from 
which  it  was  displayed.  The  flag  staff  was  partly  broken,  so 
that  the  flag  drooped;  the  old  lady  drew  it  in,  broke  off  the 
fragment,  and,  taking  the  stump  with  the  flag  still  attached  to 
it  in  her  hand,  stretched  herself  as  far  out  of  the  window  as  she 
could,  held  the  Stars  and  Stripes  at  arm's  length,  waving  over 
the  rebels,  and  cried  out  in  a  voice  of  indignation  and  sorrow: 
'Fire  at  this  old  head,  then  boys;  it  is  not  more  venerable  than 
your  flag.'  They  fired  no  more,  but  passed  on  in  silence,  and 
she  secured  the  flag  in  its  place,  where  it  remained  unmolested 
during  the  whole  of  the  rebel  occupation  of  the  city.  'Stone- 
wall' would  not  permit  her  to  be  troubled.'  ' 

Mr.  Pickard,  continuing  his  narrative,  says:  "This  is 
the  story  as  Mr.  Whittier  had  it  when  he  wrote  the  ballad.  Of 
the  substantial  accuracy  of  the  narrative  many  convincing  proofs 
came  to  him  from  time  to  time  in  the  midst  of  the  animated 
and  prolonged  controversy  the  ballad  elicited.  The  poem  was 
sent  to  Mr.  Fields  for  the  'Atlantic.'  The  following  reply  indi- 
cates the  welcome  it  received:  "  'Barbara'  is  most  welcome,  and 
I  will  find  room  for  it  in  the  October  number  most  certainly.  A 
proof  will  be  sent  to  you  in  a  few  days.  You  were  right  in  think- 
ing I  should  like  it,  for  so  I  do,  as  I  like  few  things  in  this 
world.  Inclosed  is  a  check  for  fifty  dollars  ($50)),  but  Bar- 
bara's weight  should  be  in  gold."  To  one  of  many  friends  who 
asked  him  if  'Barbara'  was  a  myth,  he  answered  in  a  letter  dated 
October  19,  1890:  "I  had  a  portrait  of  the  good  Lady  Barbara 
from  the  saintly  hand  of  Dorothea  Dix,  and  a  cane  from  Bar- 

page  eighteen 


bara's  cottage  sent  me  by  Dr.  Steiner,  of  the  Maryland  Senate. 
Whether  she  did  all  that  my  poem  ascribed  to  her,  or  not,  she 
was  a  brave,  true  woman.  I  followed  the  account  given  me  in 
a  private  letter,  and  in  the  papers  of  the  time." 

To  an  article  published  in  the  "Century",  denying  that 
the  poem  had  any  foundation  in  fact,  Mr.  Whittier  replied: 
"  'Barbara  Fritchie'  was  written  in  good  faith.  The  story  was 
no  invention  of  mine.  It  came  to  me  from  sources  which  I  re- 
garded as  entirely  reliable.  I  had  no  reason  to  doubt  its  accur- 
acy then,  and  I  am  still  constrained  to  believe  that  it  had 
foundation  in  fact.  If  I  thought  otherwise  I  should  not  hesitate 
to  express  it.  I  have  no  pride  of  authorship  to  interfere  with 
my  allegiance  to  truth."  Mr.  Pickard  states  that  the  poem  was 
published  in  most  of  the  northern  papers.  In  a  letter  written 
to  Mrs.  J.  H.  Abbott,  Mr.  Whittier  said:  "There  has  been  a 
good  deal  of  dispute  about  my  little  poem,  but  if  there  was 
any  mistake  in  the  details,  there  was  none  in  my  estimate  of  her 
noble  character,  and  her  loyalty  and  patriotism." 


Mrs.  Fritchie  >s  death  her  niece,  Mrs.  Hanshew, 
inherited  her  property  and  personal  effects,  among 
which  was  the  cherished  silk  flag.  In  course  of  time 
the  poem  attracted  many  visitors  to  Frederick,  who 
Usually  found  their  way  to  Mrs.  Hanshew's  to  gaze  upon  and 
touch  the  historic  flag.  Mrs.  Hanshew  lived  to  the  ripe,  old  age 
of  ninety  years. 

Several  years  before  her  death  she  discontinued  house- 
keeping, dividing  her  property  among  her  children.  To  her 
daughter  Julia  (Mrs.  John  H.  Abbott)  she  gave  the  priceless 
silk  flag,  the  Liverpool  china  coffee  pot,  and  other  pieces  of 
valuable  ehinaware.  Also  solid  silver  tablespoons,  sOup  ladles, 
etc.  Mrs.  Abbott,  wishing  to  preserve  the  flag,  had  it  framed. 
In  a  cabinet  are  the  curios,  among  which  is  the  old-fashioned 
"tuck  comb"  worn  by  Mrs.  Fritchie  and  placed  in  her  hair 
when  her  body  was  prepared  for  burial.  It  remained  in  the 
grave  fifty-one  years,  until  her  re-interment  from  the  church 
graveyard  to  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery,  in  1913. 

page  nindeen 


Many  visitors  call  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Abbott,  413  South 
Market  street.  Since  May  30,  1900,  a  register  has  been  kept. 
It  contains  the  names  of  nearly  four  thousand  persons.  They 
have  come  from  all  parts  of  the  United  States,  from  foreign  coun- 
tries, and  the  isles  of  the  sea  to  view  the  flag,  and  visit  the 
grave  of  Frederck's  patriotic  old  dame.  An  especially  interest- 
ing incident  is  worth  relating  in  this  connection.  One  day  a 
lady  called,  asking  the  privilege  of  seeing  the  curios.  She  told 
Mrs.  Abbott  that,  while  her  visit  to  Frederick  afforded  her 
pleasure,  there  were  also  sad  memories,  as  her  father  had  died 
in  one  of  the  Frederick  hospitals  during  the  Civil  War.  Just 
before  his  death  he  received  a  message  informing  him  that  "the 
stork"  had  brought  a  baby  girl  to  his  home  in  Philadelphia.  He 
immediately  sent  a  request  to  his  wife,  asking  that  the  baby  be 
ghen  the  name  of  a  young  nurse  who  had  ministered  so  kindly 
to  him.  Mrs.  Abbott  eagerly  inquired  the  name  of  the  nurse, 
for  she  had  been  informed  during  the  war  that  a  soldier's  little 
daughter  had  been  named  for  her,  and  she  was  delighted  when 
the  stranger  replied,  "The  name  of  the  nurse  was  Julia  Han- 
shew."  When  the  visitor  was  told  that  she  was  in  the  presence 
of  her  father's  nurse  her  surprise  and  joy  were  very  great. 

In  1912  the  officials  of  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery  Company 
asked  permission  to  remove  the  remains  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fritchie 
to  Mount  Olivet.  The  request  was  granted. 

Frederick's  progressive  daily  paper,  "The  News,"  in- 
augurated a  movement  to  form  an  organization  for  the  purpose 
of  stimulating  the  interest  of  the  people  of  Maryland  and  the 
United  States  in  patriotism,  and  in  the  heroic  valor  of  Barbara 
Fritchie,  and  to  erect  in  her  memory  a  suitable  monument  in 
Frederick  city,  where  she  lived  during  the  greater  part  of  her 
life.  A  public  subscription  list  was  started  by  "The  News." 
In  September,  1912,  the  Barbara  Fritchie  Memorial  Association 
was  organized  with  one  hundred  and  sixty-two  charter  mem- 
bers. The  incorporators  were  John  H.  Abbott,  Hon.  E.  S.  Eichel- 
berger,  Miss  May  Hagan,  Mrs.  Clara  V.  Mott,  and  Leo  Weinberg. 
The  officers  of  the  Association  were:  President,  Miss  Ella  V. 
Eichelberger;  vice-presidents,  Misses  Eleanor  D.  Abbott  and 
Janie  Quynn ;  corresponding  secretary,  Miss  May  Hagan ;  record- 
ing secretary,  Mrs.  Clara  V.  Mott;  treasurer,  Mrs.  W.  0.  Glaze. 

page  twenty 


The  officers  and  the  following  persons  constituted  a  Board  of 
Managers :  Mrs.  J.  H.  Apple,  Mrs.  J.  D.  Baker,  Mrs.  D.  C.  Brish, 
Mrs.  Grayson  Bowers,  Mrs.  S.  G.  Duvall,  Miss  Grace  Ely,  Mrs. 
Daniel  Hanshew,  Mrs.  Everest  Harding,  Mrs.  John  B.  Harding, 
Mrs.  Jennie  Schley  Miller,  Mrs.  George  S.  Rodock,  Miss  Agnes 
Schley,  Miss  Florence  Trail,  J.  J.  Bielfeld,  Sterling  Gait,  David 
Lowenstein,  E.  I.  SHope,  Hon.  M.  G.  Urner,  Dr.  William  Merrill 
and  P.  E.  Newman.  There  were  no  membership  dues,  the  con- 
tributions being  entirely  voluntary.  All  contributors  were  en- 
titled to  membership.  Some  of  the  most  prominent  people  in 
the  United  States  sent  contributions  unsolicited.  Many  interest- 
ing letters  were  received.  The  Association  aimed  to  raise  fifteen 
hundred  dollars.  The  fund  increased  so  rapidly  that,  when  the 
monument  was  unveiled  on  September  9,  1914,  more  than  the 
desired  amount  was  in  the  treasury.  A  portion  of  the  surplus 
was  invested  in  a  Liberty  Bond  of  the  second  issue.  The  Associa- 
tion had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  patriotic  organization  to 
subscribe. 

The  re-interment  of  the  remains  of  Barbara  Fritchie  and 
her  husband,  John  C.  Fritchie,  took  place  on  May  30,  1913,  in  the 
lot  given  by  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery  Company,  to  be  known  as 
the  "Fritchie  Triangle."  The  ceremonies  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  H.  L.  G.  Kieffer,  pastor  of  the  Evangelical  Reformed 
Church,  of  which  Mrs.  Fritchie  had  been  a  member.  The  officers 
of  the  consistory  acted  as  pallbearers.  The  G.  0.  P.  veterans, 
Company  A.,  M.  N.  G.,  high  school  cadets,  members  of  the  Bar- 
bara Fritchie  Memorial  Association  and  other  patriotic  organi- 
zations, and  relatives  of  Mrs.  Fritchie  formed  the  procession. 

Dr.  Bernard  C.  Steiner,  Librarian  of  Pratt  Library,  Balti- 
more, a  former  Fredericktonian,  delivered  the  memorial  address. 
Miss  Medora  Mantz,  of  York,  Pa.,  a  descendant  of  Barbara 
Fritchie,  recited  the  poem,  after  which  flowers  and  a  large  flag 
were  placed  on  the  grave  by  Claire  and  Virginia  Mott,  Margaret 
and  Grayson  Hoffman,  Julia  Abbott  and  Virginia  Frazier,  junior 
members  of  the  Memorial  Association.  The  contract  for  the 
monument  was  awarded  to  U.  A.  Lough  &  Son,  Frederick.  It  is 
of  Maryland  Guilford  granite,  massive  but  simple  and  graceful. 
The  base  is  6  feet  6  inches  square  and  1  foot  6  inches  high.  The 
sub-base  is  4  feet  6  inches  square  and  1  foot  4  inches  high.  The 

page  twenty-one 


MONUMENT  IN   MT.  OLIVET  CEMETERY 


shaft  is  10  feet  2  inches  high,  its  base  3  feet  4  inches  square, 
tapering  to  about  3  feet  square  at  the  top.  On  the  face  of  the 
sub-base  of  the  monument  is  cut  in  raised,  rounded  letters  5 
inches  high  the  name  "Barbara  Fritchie. "  Upon  the  face  of  the 
shaft  a  bronze  tablet  containing  the  entire  poem  "Barbara 
Fritchie,"  by  John  G.  Whittier,  is  surmounted  by  a  bronze  medal- 
lion of  striking  design,  portraying  the  face  of  Barbara  Fritchie. 
This  medallion  was  designed  by  Mr.  James  Kelley,  a  prominent 
sculptor  of  New  York  City,  and  cast  by  the  Gorham  company  of 
the  same  city.  On  the  back  of  the  sub-base  is  a  smaller  bronze 
tablet  containing  the  words:  "Erected  by  the  Barbara  Fritchie 
Memorial  Association  of  Frederick,  Md.,  1914."  The  original 
stones  which  marked  the  graves  in  the  church  cemetery  are 
used  as  foot-stones. 

The  unveiling  of  the  monument  took  place  on  September  9, 
1914,  in  connection  with  the  Star-Spangled  Banner  Centennial 
and  Home-Coming  Celebration,  observed  in  Frederick  September 
9-14.  Preceding  the  exercises  a  procession  formed  and  marched 
to  the  Fritchie  Triangle  in  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery.  A  very 
large  crowd  witnessed  the  ceremonies,  many  coming  from  a  dis- 
tance for  the  occasion,  among  them  members  of  the  Frederick 
County  Colony  from  Baltimore,  the  Legion  of  Loyal  Women  of 
Washington,  D.  C.,  a  national  director  of  the  Federation  of 
Women's  Clubs,  and  a  representative  of  Old  Glory  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
of  Chicago,  who  brought  a  wreath  from  the  post  to  place  on  the 
grave  of  Mrs.  Fritchie.  Hon.  M.  G.  Urner,  of  the  Frederick  bar, 
was  master  of  ceremonies.  The  address  was  delivered  by  Hon. 
Alfred  S.  Eoe,  of  Massachusetts.  Miss  Mary  Eleanor  Shafer, 
A.  M.,  of  Middletown,  recited  "Barbara  Fritchie."  Mrs.  John 
H.  Abbott  (nee  Julia  Hanshew),  greatniece  of  Barbara  Fritchie, 
unveiled  the  monument  as  the  flag  was  unfurled,  and  the  large 
assemblage  sang  the  national  anthem,  "The  Star-Spangled  Ban- 
ner," accompanied  by  the  Braddock  Heights  Band  under  the 
direction  of  Prof.  Irving  S.  Biser. 

Following  the  ceremonies  an  informal  reception  was  held 
at  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  H.  Abbott.  Refreshments  were 
served,  the  Liverpool  china  coffee  pot  and  other  china  owned 
and  used  by  Mrs.  Fritchie  being  used  on  this  occasion. 

page  twenty-three 


"Over  Barbara  Fritchie's  grave 

The  flag  of  freedom  and  union  waves." 

Beautiful  wool  bunting  flags  have  been  presented  by  the 
Whittier  Club,  of  Haverhill,  Massachusetts,  through  its  presi- 
dent, Judge  Ira  A.  Abbott.  Also  Major  Howe  Post,  G.  A.  R., 
and  Col.  A.  L.  Tappan,  of  Haverhill. 

"Barbara  Fritchie's  work  is  o'er."  "Honor  to  her,"  to 
the  flag  and  country  she  loved,  and  to  the  Quaker  poet  who  im- 
mortalized her!  Visitors  to  the  "Fritchie  Triangle"  are  im- 
pressed with  the  beautiful  location.  Looking  up  at  "Old  Glory" 
as  its  folds  rise  and  fall  "on  the  loyal  winds  that  love  it  well" 
and  gazing  across  the  meadows  to  the  greenwalled  hills  beyond, 
we  exclaim  with  the  poet: 

"Peace  and  order  and  beauty  draw 
Round  thy  symbol  of  light  and  law. 
And  ever  the  stars  above  look  down 
On  thy  stars  below  in  Fredericktown." 


IN  CONNECTION  with  this  sketch  of  Whittier 's  hero- 
ine mention  should  be  made  of  another  distinguished 
character — Francis  Scott  Key,  the  author  of  our 
national  anthem,  "The  Star-Spangled  Banner,"  who 
was  born  August  9,  1780,  in  what  was  at  that  time  Frederick 
County,  but  is  now  a  part  of  Carroll  County.  His  remains  also 
rest  in  Mount  Olivet,  where  a  handsome  monument  has  been 
erected  to  his  memory. 

"He  gave  us  the  song  of  the  banner, 
He  gave  us  the  hymn  of  its  might; 
He  lit  it  with  melody's  splendor, 
He  made  it  an  anthem  of  right. 
And  it  grows  with  the  growth  of  the  nation, 
It  lives,  and  it  shines,  and  is  true 
To  the  gospel  of  faith  and  of  freedom — 
Our  flag  of  the  Red,  White  and  Blue!" 

Frederick  is  also  justly  proud  to  have  been  the  home  of 
the  birth  and  boyhood  of  him  who,  by  his  prompt  action  on  July 

page  tii'citty-four 


3d,  1898,  during  the  war  with  Spain,  achieved  a  victory  for 
America,  at  Santiago,  which  made  him  a  hero  for  all  time — Ad- 
miral Winfield  Scott  Schley. 

The  first  Governor  of  Maryland — Thomas  Johnson,  resided 
on  a  farm  a  short  distance  north  of  Frederick.  His  remains  rest 
in  Mount  Olivet  Cemetery. 

Among  the  many  objects  of  interest  in  Frederick  is  the  old 
stone  barracks  built  in  1777,  and  used  during  the  Revolution  as 
a  prison  for  captured  Hessian  soldiers,  and  during  the  Civil  "War 
as  a  United  States  General  Hospital.  This  building  stands  in  the 
rear  of  the  Maryland  School  for  the  Deaf,  on  South  Market 
street.  This  institution  has  for  more  than  fifty  years  given  in- 
struction in  speech  and  lip  reading,  and  recently  in  rhythm  work, 
in  addition  to  the  regular  public  school  curriculum,  to  deaf-mute 
children,  and  those  who  can  speak,  but  are  too  deaf  to  benefit  by 
instruction  in  other  schools. 

The  public  and  high  schools  of  Frederick  are  worthy  of 
mention.  Hood  College  and  the  Academy  of  the  Visitation  are 
widely  known. 

Frederick  is  developing  industrially,  due  in  great  measure 
to  its  Chamber  of  Commerce.  Its  fine  banking  institutions  evi- 
dence prosperity.  Its  philanthropic  spirit  is  manifested  in  a  well 
equipped  hospital,  which  affords  to  suffering  humanity  relief 
and  restoration  to  health.  The  Home  for  the  Aged  provides  com- 
fortably for  its  family,  and  two  church  homes  care  for  orphan 
children. 

While  the  spirit  of  progress  has  destroyed  some  landmarks 
of  the  town  (among  which  were  Barbara  Fritchie's  home  and 
Washington's  headquarters),  there  is  still  standing  the  old  stone 
tavern  at  the  head  of  West  Patrick  street,  in  which  great  states- 
men (Andrew  Jackson,  Daniel  Webster,  Henry  Clay,  Winfield 
Scott)  met  to  discuss  the  affairs  of  the  young  nation.  On  North 
Bentz  street  stands  the  old  stone  mill,  built  in  1790.  This  mill 
is  being  successfully  operated  at  the  present  time. 

A  short  distance  north  of  the  mill  is  a  splendid  modern 
building — the  First  Regiment  Armory.  Not  far  distant  stands 
the  Frederick  County  Court  House,  in  which  hangs  a  bronze 
tablet  containing  the  names  of  the  twelve  " immortal  judges" 
who  repudiated  the  "  Stamp  *act."  Nearby  is  another  interesting 

page  twenty -five 


building — the  home  of  the  News-Ppst,  Frederick's  progressive 
daily  papers. 

The  handsome  church  buildings  testify  that  the  religious 
life  of  the  community  is  not  neglected.  There  are  in  Frederick 
ten  Protestant  churches,  several  missions,  a  Roman  Catholic 
church,  representatives  of  the  Salvation  Army  and  a  Young 
Men's  Christian  Association.  Trinity  Reformed  Chapel,  on  West 
Church  street,  is  especially  interesting  because  of  its  century 
old  tower  and  spire,  in  which  a  chime  of  ten  bells,  known  as 
''Trinity  Chimes,"  was  installed  in  1893.  The  chimer  is  H.  Lee 
Hanshew,  great-great-nephew  of  Barbara  Fritchie.  "What  say 
the  bells?"  asks  the  poet,  who  tells  us: 

"Bells  are  the  voice  of  the  church; 
They  have  tones  that  touch  and  search 
The  hearts  of  young  and  old; 
One  sound  to  all,  yet  each 
Lends  a  meaning  to  their  speech, 
And  the  meaning  is  manifold." 

To  the  readers  of  this  sketch  the  bells  say — 

"Then  bring  our  country's  starry  banner, 
And  drape  it  o'er  the  Saviour's  cross; 
For  with  these  emblems  close  united, 
We  fear  no  danger,  harm,  or  loss. 
Beneath  this  glorious  flag,  whose  beauty 
Thrills  all  our  hearts  with  fervent  love, 
With  gratitude  and  true  devotion 
We  praise  our  King  who  reigns  above. 
Then  bring  our  country's  starry  banner, 
And  loyal  till  your  latest  breath, 
Unite  unto  the  loving  emblem 
The  symbol  of  the  Saviour's  death. 
'Till  in  the  freedom  He  has  given 
Beneath  the  flag  that  waves  so  free, 
A  Christian  nation  stands  proclaiming 
The  highest  type  of  liberty." 


page  twenty-six 


VIEW   CF   FREDERICK,    MD. 


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